A Retrospective Biopharmaceutical Analysis of >800 Approved Oral Drug Products: Are Drug Properties of Solid Dispersions and Lipid-Based Formulations Distinctive?

Increasing numbers of poorly water soluble drugs in development has intensified need for bio-enabling formulations including Lipid-Based Formulations (LBF) and Solid Dispersions (SD). Resultantly, a data-driven approach is required to increase formulation development efficiency. This review provides a retrospective analysis of molecular and biopharmaceutical properties of drugs commercialised as LBFs or SDs. A comprehensive stepwise statistical analysis of LBF and SD drug properties was conducted and compared to drugs not commercialised via either technology (Others), aiming to identify key predictors of successful formulation development. This review demonstrates LBF and SD drugs differ significantly in molecular weight, polar surface area, rotatable bonds and hydrogen bond acceptor count. Meanwhile, LBF and SD drugs display significantly different aqueous solubility, lipophilicity, size, molecular flexibility, hydrogen bonding capacity and rule-of-5 violations versus Others. LBF and SDs were 3 and 5 times more likely to display >1 rule-of-5 violation versus Others, over 55% of LBF drugs exceeded the reported melting point guide of <150 °C, while 24% of SD drugs contained >10 Hydrogen Bond Acceptors. Overall, by focusing on successfully commercialised drugs, this review provides improved understanding of links between drug properties and successful SD/LBF approaches, providing a framework for guiding pharmaceutical development on formulation approaches.